Asked by: Sarah Jones (Labour - Croydon West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when the new funding scheme for remediation or mitigation of the fire safety risks linked to external wall system defects on medium rise (11–18 metres) buildings will be extended to all buildings.
Answered by Lee Rowley
Schemes to cover buildings over 18m have been in place for some time; an increasing number of properties are undergoing and completing remediation. A pilot for 11-18m buildings has been underway since late 2022, and has recently been expanded in scope; we anticipate a full opening in the months ahead.
Asked by: Sarah Jones (Labour - Croydon West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will (a) increase the remit of local leaders to enable them to implement ambitious local home insulation schemes in the context of rising energy bills and (b) take steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to allocate further funding for those schemes.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Government believes that strong and dynamic local leadership, that can understand how complex issues come together in a place, tailor policy to local priorities, attract investment and seize each area’s opportunities, is critical to levelling up.
This is why we set out a 'devolution framework' in the Levelling Up White Paper. The framework provides a clear menu of options for places in England that wish to unlock the benefits of devolution, including by giving places the opportunity to adopt innovative local proposals to deliver action on climate change and the UK’s net zero targets.
We will continue to explore whether additional functions or roles could support local areas to achieve their local net zero priorities.
Asked by: Sarah Jones (Labour - Croydon West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps the Leasehold Advisory Service takes to identify specialist mental health organisations that leaseholders could be signposted to.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Government funds the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) to provide free and independent advice to leaseholders, including those affected by building safety issues. This aims to help them make informed decisions on next steps and engage confidently with freeholders, developers and managing agents. Advice is open to all and there is no limit on the amount of advice an individual can seek to support their chances of achieving the best possible outcome in their case.
LEASE give this practical legal advice through their website but also through one-to-one calls with dedicated building safety advisers, and online resources such as tailored articles, FAQs and factsheets. Calls are used to help individuals work through the issues and next steps in what can be very distressing circumstances.
LEASE takes its role in supporting them very seriously and staff have received training from ‘The Samaritans’ to equip them to identify where individuals are suffering mental health issues. LEASE staff are aware of the need to take action to safeguard customers as needed and where appropriate individuals are encouraged to contact The Samaritans or their GP. All aspects of the service are kept under review to ensure funding delivers what leaseholders need.
Government is working to make sure that all people, regardless of their residential situation, get the help and support they need with their mental health. Where residents of buildings with fire safety issues need mental health support, they should make contact with their GP to discuss these issues so they may be referred to mental health services as appropriate.
Asked by: Sarah Jones (Labour - Croydon West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if his Department will urgently review the remit and role of LEASE for the purposes of ensuring that it adequately supports the needs of people affected by cladding and fire safety issues.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Government funds the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) to provide free and independent advice to leaseholders, including those affected by building safety issues. This aims to help them make informed decisions on next steps and engage confidently with freeholders, developers and managing agents. Advice is open to all and there is no limit on the amount of advice an individual can seek to support their chances of achieving the best possible outcome in their case.
LEASE give this practical legal advice through their website but also through one-to-one calls with dedicated building safety advisers, and online resources such as tailored articles, FAQs and factsheets. Calls are used to help individuals work through the issues and next steps in what can be very distressing circumstances.
LEASE takes its role in supporting them very seriously and staff have received training from ‘The Samaritans’ to equip them to identify where individuals are suffering mental health issues. LEASE staff are aware of the need to take action to safeguard customers as needed and where appropriate individuals are encouraged to contact The Samaritans or their GP. All aspects of the service are kept under review to ensure funding delivers what leaseholders need.
Government is working to make sure that all people, regardless of their residential situation, get the help and support they need with their mental health. Where residents of buildings with fire safety issues need mental health support, they should make contact with their GP to discuss these issues so they may be referred to mental health services as appropriate.
Asked by: Sarah Jones (Labour - Croydon West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps (a) his Department and (b) the Leasehold Advisory Service is taking to support residents affected by cladding and fire safety issues to access (i) legal advice and (ii) mental health support.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Government funds the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) to provide free and independent advice to leaseholders, including those affected by building safety issues. This aims to help them make informed decisions on next steps and engage confidently with freeholders, developers and managing agents. Advice is open to all and there is no limit on the amount of advice an individual can seek to support their chances of achieving the best possible outcome in their case.
LEASE give this practical legal advice through their website but also through one-to-one calls with dedicated building safety advisers, and online resources such as tailored articles, FAQs and factsheets. Calls are used to help individuals work through the issues and next steps in what can be very distressing circumstances.
LEASE takes its role in supporting them very seriously and staff have received training from ‘The Samaritans’ to equip them to identify where individuals are suffering mental health issues. LEASE staff are aware of the need to take action to safeguard customers as needed and where appropriate individuals are encouraged to contact The Samaritans or their GP. All aspects of the service are kept under review to ensure funding delivers what leaseholders need.
Government is working to make sure that all people, regardless of their residential situation, get the help and support they need with their mental health. Where residents of buildings with fire safety issues need mental health support, they should make contact with their GP to discuss these issues so they may be referred to mental health services as appropriate.